2025 Security Industry Predictions: Paul Boucherle, Principal, Matterhorn Consulting
Paul Boucherle kicks off our series with a look at what’s getting better and worse in the security industry and thoughts on the latest tech.
We’re kicking off our 2025 Security Industry Predictions series with Paul Boucherle, CPP CSC, principal at Matterhorn Consulting and Business Fitness columnist. Check out his thoughts on what’s ahead for the space over the next 12 months and come back for more prognostications by our panel of experts.
Security Sales & Integration: Without getting into any specific vendors or branded solutions, what technology category or solution area do you see as 2025’s ripest, most profitable growth opportunity for security dealers, installers and integrators? Explain your reasoning.
Paul Boucherle: Profitable growth and ripe opportunities depend upon the ability to execute solutions quickly and smoothly. New (hyped) security technologies take time, investment, training and resources. The ripest opportunities are the ones where their capabilities, market focus, brand recognition/reputation recognized by their customers.
I know that workplace/retail/school/home invasions violence is an upward trend. Integrating existing technologies with some innovation and creativity differentiates solutions while enhancing profitability. Legislation will drive that opportunity.
Alyssa’s law (seven states and growing) and California House Bill 553 requiring all businesses to have a workplace violence prevention plan in place adds momentum and opportunities. The real opportunity will be layering technology, people and processes tailored to customer needs.
SSI: These days, we’re all hearing a lot about the cloud migration, AI/machine learning, crime deterrence vs. crime reactiveness, etc. Which of these “hot topics” do you think is overplayed? Which ones do you think will truly transform the practice of security integration in the coming years?
Boucherle: Each of the “hot topics” mentioned are over promised, hyped and usually underdelivered. Each has great theoretical promise while having unique limitations, depending on the application. Cloud migration has been around the longest and is proven for typical business processes, storing and sharing data safely (sometimes).
Security solution data is a significantly different animal considering volume, sensitivity and privacy issues. AI is a broader concept, teaching computers to learn and make decisions; while machine learning (ML) is a more specific application with known parameters to make a specific decision. Both terms are a playground for creative marketing departments.
Crime prevention has traditionally been defined by added layers of security that increase the risks (and punishment) of getting caught, and encouraging criminals to find softer targets. Crime reactiveness requires real time responses from technology and people working together to minimize response times. Easy to say but hard to do cost effectively at scale.
SSI: On the business and operations side, which single factor (e.g., interest rates, talent-related issues, geopolitical stressors) poses the biggest challenge for security businesses right now?
Boucherle: Talent-related issues are the clear winner of those challenges. Can’t run an efficient, profitable and growing business without the right talent, period. Adding gas onto this fire is the projected retirement of seasoned and committed associates who take experience and knowledge with them!
SSI: How can business owners mitigate their downside risk?
Boucherle: Planning and evolving company culture that is attractive to next gen talent, adapt tactics for recruitment, retain valuable associates, and adopt a process of talent development. Take time every week to work ON their business and not IN the business.
SSI: What’s getting better about the security industry these days?
Boucherle: Opportunities for upward career mobility with future forward-thinking companies. Those who innovate, listen and act decisively will attract the best talent.
SSI: What seems to be getting worse and worse?
Boucherle: Companies that lack a real strategic vision and tactical planning to achieve that business vision. Worse yet is the lack of ability to communicate effectively from the ivory tower to the trenches.
SSI: What’s liable to catch some security industry dealers, installers and integrators off guard in the coming year?
Boucherle: Technology advances and competitor disrupters that are changing the rules of engagement. Inefficiencies of their business processes that drive up costs of doing business. Changing customer expectations as decision making shifts to next gen management.
SSI: What’s the single most pressing issue that professionals in the security industry should look to tackle right now?
Boucherle: Realistically defining their personal/professional competitive advantage.
SSI: Finish this sentence: 2025 will be remembered as the year that the security industry…
Boucherle: …built more awareness and actionable plans to work more innovatively with first responders and customers as a team.
Click here for 2025 security industry predictions by 2024 SSI Industry Hall of Fame inductee Jeffrey Zwirn!
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